Automatic air conditioning radiator



June 22, 1937. E. 1.. F. WEBER AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING RADIATOR Filed July 6, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l FIGJ.

F 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY June 22, 1937. E. 1.. F. WEBER AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING RADIATOR Filed July 6, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lll FIG.6.

FIG.5.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY June 22, 1937.

E..L. F. WEBER 2,084,365

AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING RADIATOR Filed July 6, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR I ATTORNEY June,22, 1937. EL. F. WEBER AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING RADIATOR Filed July 6, 1955 4 SheetsSheet 4 FIGJC.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY v Patented June 22, 1937 V UNITED STATES FATE 3 Claims.

The invention is an improvement in means for heating and humidifying, or air conditioning,

rooms in residences, apartments, hotels, hospitals,

office buildings and other types of buildings, heated by so-called direct radiation methods.

The invention may be described as a radiator, within the confines of which is embodied a partition which separates a portion of the radiator from the heating system proper and utilizes this 0 said portion as an evaporating chamber, wherein water is evaporated and permitted to combine with the ambient air, thus humidifying said air.

The need for the humidification of air in places of abode for the preservation of human health being well established, the invention has for its principal object the economical humidification of the air in rooms and compartments heated by socalled direct heating systems, without the necessity of employing the usual humidifying systems,

which require humidifying apparati, fans and ducts and are hence costly to install, besides consuming considerable power for their operation.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description, taken in connection with the drawings, wherein like characters represent like parts.

Fig. 1 is a top view of the radiator, showing connections thereto.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the radiator, show- 0 ing connections thereto.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of an air conditioning section of the radiator, taken thru air inlets and outlets.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the upper part of an air conditioning section of the radiator.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the upper part of an air conditioning section of the radiator taken thru the air outlets. V

Fig. 6 is a medial section of the upper part of an air conditioning section of the radiator.

Fig. 7 is a medial section of the upper part of the radiator.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section thru the upper part of the radiator showing the section taken thru the feed mechanism on the center thereof.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section of the upper part of the feed section of the radiator, showing the water feed mechanism in open position.

Fig. 10 is a medial section thru the upper part of the feed section of the radiator, showing the water feed mechanism in closed position.

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section thru the feed section of the radiator, taken below the center of the feed mechanism.

u represents a cover over feed section 2.

Fig. 12 is a top view of the water'feed mechanism. 7

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2: the radiator consists of a supply section I, a feed section 2 and a number of air conditioning sections 3, connected 5 by top and bottom nipples between the sections as is-customary in standard radiator construction. The upper part of the radiator is provided with a partition 4, extending thru the top part of the radiator sections and the nipples; thus forming an evaporating chamber tin that portion of the radiator positioned above said partition.

Said partition 4 is comprised of special nipple 6 between sections I and 2, partition I in section 2, partitions 8 in sections 3 and partitions 9 in the 5 other nipples, all suitably contacted, welded, brazed, soldered or otherwise connected into a continuous partition. I

Water to be evaporated enters the evaporating chamber thru a'nipple with union l0 and feed valve ll. Room air enters the evaporating chamber thru openings l2 and the humidified air and Vaporexit thru-openings l3- in'the evaporating chambers of the air conditioning sections. These openings are shown provided with screens to pre- 25 vent the entrance of vermin and dirt into the evaporating chambers.

Hot-water from the heating system enters the radiator thru flow valve l4 and branch l5 from flow main l6, and leavesthe radiator thru equal- 30 izing elbow Hand branch 18 to return main I 9.

Any overflow of water from the evaporating chamber is discharged from overflow outlet 20 of section 2, thru branch 2! to drain line 22.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6: 8 again repre- 35 sents the partition in section 3 and 9 the partition in nipple 23. 24 is a cover over evaporating cham-' ber 5 of air conditioning section 3. 25 represents the hot-water in the radiator proper, while 26 represents the water to be evaporated in evapo- 4 rating chamber 5.

Referring to Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12: 21 I0 and II again represent the nipple with union and the feed valve for the water to be evaporated. Said 45 water then passes to feed chamber 28, with cover 29, gasket 30 and strainer 3|, with partition 32 afiixed to cover 29. The arrow indicates the direction of flow of said water. 33 is a flushing outlet with removable screw in the base of the feed 50 chamber 28, and 34 is the outlet port of the feed chamber 28.

Engaging 34 is seat 35 of the automatic float operated valve which is aflixed to spindle 36. Spring 3.! is for balancing the pressure against 55 the static head of the water in the heating system. 38 is a nut for adjusting the tension of spring 3'! and 39 is ablock for the support of nut 38.

V 49 represents lugs for the support of the lever arm. These are integral with base 4| of the water feed mechanism. 42 is a lever arm and 43 is a bolt for holding same to lugs 40 and acting as a fulcrum. The lever arm has a ring 44 holding a bushing 45 for supporting the valve spindle 35 by pin 46. Bushing 45 is threaded to engage valve spindle 36 for adjusting the lateral travel of said valve spindle, which is provided with a screw driver slot for making adjustments.

4'! is a float, which raises andlowers one end of the attached lever arm 42 as the water level in the evaporating chamber and the float chamber 48 varies. To prevent sticking and chattering of valve seat 35, the lever arm is provided with a snap actingmechanism, of which 49 is the leading link, affixed to the lever arm by pin 59. 5! is the following up link with springs 52 aflixed thereto. These springs freely engage 49. 53 are limit stops or lugs for 49.

54 is a stand pipe overflow with seat 55 leading to drain tube 56 of feed section 2 and to drain outlet 29.

The use of the automatic air conditioning radiator may be best understood from the following description of the assemblage of the radiators,

V tors to carry away any overflow from the 'evapotheir installation and the operation of a heating system and air conditioning system equipped therewith and employing same. 7

The radiators are installed in buildings in the ordinary manner. In a hot-water system of heating, the radiators are connected with the flow and return piping of the system in the usual manner and a safe waste or drain line is installed with branch connections to the radiarating chambers.

In a steam system of heating, the radiators are connected with the steam and return piping of the system in the usual manner. The aforementioned safe waste or drain line and connections are installed and a water line with branches is added to supply water to the evaporating chamber of the radiators, either by suitable automatic feed or hand feed mechanism.

The radiators are made up in the usual manner g by the assemblage of sections of various widths or number of tubes, various heights of sections, and various numbers of sections to secure the required radiating or heating surface and to fit within the imposed space limitations. i

The radiators may consist of any number of regular sections and any number of air conditioning sections to give the desired amount of heat and the desired degree of humidification.

Where an automatic water feed is desired, a

feed mechanism is included, and Where the radiators are connected with a hot-water heating system and it is desired to derive the water to be evaporated from the heating system a feed section 2 with feed mechanism is included in the assemblage, as shown on the drawings. I

The air conditioning sections 3 are provided with a partition 8 which dividesthe sections into two parts. The lower part contains the heating fluid 25 and the upper part contains the water to be evaporated 26. Heat is transmitted from the fluid 25 thru partition 8 to the water to be evaporated 26, which is thus warmed, causing evapohigher temperature thanthat flowing past the front and rear faces of the radiator, the velocity of the rising air currents past openings I3 is greater than past openings l2. This will cause a greater eduction of air from openings 13 than from openingsl2 and will thus normally assure a circulation of air from the-room, entering thru openings 12 to chamber '5 and. exiting thru openings l3. The dry room air being thus brought more rapidly and intimately in contact with themixture of saturated vapor and air in chamber 5, will hence absorb more saturated vapor and thus effect a more rapid humidification of the air in the room. 7 P

Where this circulation is not desired, openings l2 may be omitted, in which case the removal of the saturated vapor from chamber 5 will be effected solely by the difiusion of the saturated vapor thru openings I3 into the stream of unin the evaporating chamber.

The air conditioning sections are as with ordinary nipples in; the bottom connections and with special nipples 23, having partitions 9 integral therewith in the top connections. These partitions 9 are aligned with partitions 80f the air conditioning sections anda continuous partition t is thussecured between 8 and '9 by making a snug contact, by welding, soldering, brazing or other suitable means. A special nipple '6 with a partition in one end connects the regular sections of the radiator, of which I is typical, with partition 1 of the feed section, or with partition 8- of sembled saturated air flowing past said openings l3,-due to the higher vapor pressure of the Warm vapor" the first air conditioning section where no feed sectionis used, and contact as hereinbefore described is established therewith. The terminus of the end section is provided with a blind nipple or I plug with integral partition and contact as hereinbefore described is there also established.

The radiator is thus divided into two complete,

continuous and independent compartments, the lower or heating compartment containing the heating fluid and the upper or evaporating compartment containing the fluid to be evaporated. A description of the operation. of the air conditioning radiator on a hot-water heating system 7 with automatic feed follows:

Hot-Water from flow main I6 enters the radi- M ator thru branch 15 and valve I4, passes thru the heating compartment of the radiator and exits thru H and M3 to return main 19, thus causing the radiator to emit heat for heating purposes.

Water to be evaporated is derived from section I thru the nipple connected with union l9 and valve II. It enters feed chamber 28, passes thru strainer 31 to outlet port 34 of. the feed chamber. chamber 5 and float chamber 48 is high as shown in Fig. 10, seat 35 of the feed mechanism closes port 34 and no water leaves chamber 28. If the water level in evaporating chamber 5 and float chamber 48 is low as shown in Fig. 9. seat 35 If the water level in the evaporating of the feed mechanism opens port 34 and water emerges from feed chamber 28, thus flooding the evaporating chambers 5.

This cycle is repeated and the Water evaporated in evaporating chambers 5 is thus automatically and continuously replenished from the supply of the heating system, which of course must be provided with a device to automatically supply makeup water to the heating system.

Removable covers are provided on sections 2 and 3 to give access to the feed mechanism and evaporating compartments for the purpose of welding partitions, adjusting the feed mechanisrn, removing scale and dirt and other suitable purposes.

The operation of the feed mechanism follows: With valve seat 35 open as shown in Fig. 9, water enters the evaporating chambers faster than evaporation takes place and hence the water level rises. This raises float 47 and the attached end of lever arm l2, raising pin 55 and the free end or" leading link 39 of the snap acting mechanism. Following up link 5! with attached springs 52 is engaged and raised, and after passing the dead center, the pressure of the springs produces a rapid upward movement of the lever arm, causing the upper part thereof, which engages the valve spindle 38, to rapidly move toward the feed chamber 28, thus seating valve seat 35 on outlet 34 and shutting off the water.

Ring is, bushing i5 and pin 46 transform the upward motion of the float and the attached lever arm into a lateral motion at the valve spindle. Bushing 58 is tapped to engage the threaded portion of spindle 36, the end of which is slotted for a screw driver to adjust the lateral travel of spindle 36.

Block 39 holds bushing 38, which acts as a guide for the valve spindle.

Spring 3'! is for the purpose of balancing the pressure against the static head of the heating system. Springs of different degrees of tension can be used to counteract the different pressures encountered on the various floors or pressure zones in a building, and by further adjustment of the bushing 38 an accurate balance can be secured.

As the water is evaporated in the evaporating chambers, the water level drops, causing float 41 and the attached end of lever arm 42 to drop. This lowers pin 50 and the free end of the leading link 49 of the snap acting mechanism. Following up link 5! with the attached 'springs'52 is engaged and lowered, and after passing the dead center, the pressure of the springs 52 produces a rapid downward movement of the lever arm, causing the upper part thereof, which engages the valve spindle 36, to rapidly recede from the feed chamber 28, thus unseating valve seat 35 from outlet 34 and admitting water to the evaporating chambers. This cycle of admitting and shutting off of the water is repeated as evaporation takes place.

During this cycle of operation, the air assembling in the radiator is being continuously eliminated whenever the feed mechanism opens. This is a matter of essential importance in the operation of hot-water heating systems.

While screwed radiator nipples are shown, it is understood that push nipples, or other types of nipples, are included.

While the air conditioning sections are shown provided with both air inlets and outlets, it is understood that the inlets maybe dispensed with.

While no deflectors are shown usedin connection with the air inlets l2 and air outlets l3, it is understood that deflectors, funnels or similar devices may be used in connection therewith to accelerate the circulation of air thru the evaporating chambers on any or all of the inlets and outlets without departing from the spirit of the invention.

While a system of hot-water heating is shown, it is understood that the use of the radiators on steam, vapor or vacuum heating systems is included.

While the water to be evaporated is shown automatically derived from the supply in the hot-water heating system, it is understood that said water may be derived from any other source and fed either automatically, by hand or by any other method.

While the partitions in the nipples and the radiator sections are shown in approximately the center of the nipples and with plane surfaces, it is understood that same may be off center and of any other convenient shape Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

While a particular type of float operated feed mechanism is shown, it isunderstood that same is merely indicative of all such mechanisms, performing the same or similar functions, and that other types of feed mechanisms may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

While both a supply section I and a feed section 2 "are shown, it is understood these may be 'combined into one section performing the same services and functions.

While no gaskets are shown between the radiator sections, it is understood that gaskets may be used. I

While a float operated valve is shown, it is understood that any other type of Water feed mechanism is included.

While a snap acting mechanism is shown, it is understood that a non-snap acting mechanism may be used.

It is understood that other changes may be made in the construction of the radiators and of the feed mechanism without departing from the spirit of the invention. One of which changes may be in the design of the partitions and nipples, another may be in the use of a feed mechanism of a different type, another may be in the method employed to produce a circulation of air thru the evaporating chambers, and still another may consist of providing the upper'nipples with substantially V-shaped partitions contacting or otherwise afiixed to abutting V-shaped terminal surfaces in the partitions in the air conditioning sections, for the purpose of increasing the cross sectional area available within the nipples for the passage of the heating fluid.

While the radiator is shown located in the open, it is understood that same may be provided with any suitable enclosure, or it may be set in a recess with a front enclosure of the type usually supplied with convector units.

Wherever the word radiator is used herein, it is understood to include concealed radiators and so-. called convectors, which are merely radiators installed within an enclosure and so arranged that air passes over the radiator and thru the enclosure and heats the room by convection.

While a radiator with both top and bottom nipples is shown, it is understood that radiators having one set'of connecting nipples only between the sections, as is frequently the case in so-called concealed radiators and convectors, are included without departing from the spirit of the invention. In such types of radiators, the single row of nipples may be considered as the top row of nipples and the bottom row of nipples may be considered as being absent.

While the connecting radiator nipples are shown circular in cross section, it is understood that said nipples may be oval, elliptical, or of any other convenient cross section and that the partition therein may be placed in the upper portion thereof, or in any other convenient location, with the corresponding openings and partitions in the radiator sections complementary thereto and of a contour adapted to be used and connected therewith.

While connecting nipples are shown, it is understood that same may be dispensed with and that the sections may be assembled by the use of abutting flanged surfaces of similar contour, suitably affixed together, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A humidifying radiator comprising a plurality of water sections, connecting members oonnecting the upper ends of said sections and ho1ding said sections together, certain of said connecting members having central partitions extending longitudinally and continuously from end to end thereof dividing said connecting members each other thereby forming a. continuous partition providing a segregated chamber extending continuously and longitudinally of said radiator in the upper portion thereof, one of said radiator sections having an'enlarged chamber communicating with the chamber above said partition, a

valve controlled passage for conveying water from the radiator proper into the chamber above said partition, a float in said enlarged chamber acting on said valve and arranged to maintain a water level in the chamber above said partition at a level intermediate the height of said chamber, and an opening connecting the interior and ex terior of said upper chamber and positioned above the normal water level thereof. 7 h

2. A radiator as described in claim 1 in which the chamber above said partition is provided with an overflow at a predetermined height above said normal water level.

3. A radiator as described in claim 1 in which the chamber above said partition is provided With openings in the sides and ends of said upper chamber of the radiator sections, connecting the interior and exterior of said chamber and positioned above the normal water level thereof.

ERWIN LEO FRANZ WEBER. 

